Apparatus for recording, reproducing, and amplifying sound



, C. BLIEBERGER. I APPARTU-S FOR RECORDING, REPRODUCING, A ND AMPLIFYING SOUND.

APPLICATION HLED sEPT.2o,1919. 11ENEwE1`JYDEc. 23, 1921. 1,425,505.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

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4 C.' BLIEBERGER. APPARATUS FOR RECORDING, REPRODUCING, AND AIVIPLIFYING SOUND.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.20, 1919- RENEWED DC. 23, 192i.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

- C. BLIEBERGER. APPARATUS FOR RECORDING, REPRODUCING, AND AMPLIFYING SOUND.

, A APPLICATION FILED SEPT.20, 1919. REN`EWEDDEC. 23, 1.921. l

l ,425, 505 Patented Aug. 1511922.'

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C. BLIEBERGER. APPARATUS FOR RECORDING, REPRODUCING, AND AMFLIFYING SOUND. APPLICATION FILED sEPLzo. 1919. IIENEWED DEc. 23. 1921.

l #125 jz.'j')(:)5 Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

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C BLIEBERGER. APPARATUS FOR RECORDING, REPRODUCI'NG, AND AMPLIFYING SOUND. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.20, 1919- RENEWED DEC.23, 1921.

1,425,505. f Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

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CHARLES BLIEBERGER, OFcNEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 A. ALEXANDER THOMAS, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR RECORDING, REPRODUCING, AND AMPLIFYING SOUND.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

Continuation of application Serial No. 241,624, filed .Tune 24, 1918. This application led September 20, 1919, Serial No. 325,256. Renewed December 23, 1921. Serial No. 524,507.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES BIJEBERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York'city, New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Recording, Reproducing, and Amplifying Sound.

This-invention relates to apparatus for the recording, reproduction and amplification of sound. l

The basic principle of my invention involves a series of what I may call sound-developing compartments communicating with a sound-receiving chamber into which the sound vibrations to be amplified .are suitably introduced. In the preferred form of my invention the sound-developing compartments communicate not only with the soundreceiving chamber, but also with each other through openings of suitable size and arrangement. As the sound enters the receivingpchamber it spreads freely in all directions into the sound-developing compartments, through which it passes to the outer air. When my invention isAapplied to ay talking machine, I prefer to construct the sound-developing chambers of different volume.

When my invention is used for recording sound, the sound is introduced from the outer air into the compartments and chamber, whence the sound waves are directed to a suitable recording device.

My'invention is characterized by the absence of the usual horn or megaphone found in prior phonograph constructions and which has the objection that it imparts to the tones a harsh, unnatural quality. This phonograph-y sound (if I may use that term) is so familiar to us that we can recognize the peculiar tones of a phonograph or It is well known that sounds sent through a horn or similar amplifier issue out of it in different quality from the original. In other words,

they are changed. There is, for instance,

the familiar example of a man talking through a megaphone: the voice issuing out of it is not his natural voice. This explains,

of the tone arm into a series or cluster of intercommunicating chambers, in which they freely spread and develop in alldirections, thus faithfully reproducing the original tones.

In the following specification, the invention is described in its application to sound reproduction in talking machines, but the applicability of the apparatusto any recording or reproducing device will be apparent to all skilled in the art. The invention is intended to be applicable to all aural vibratory apparatus when yit is desired to secure volume and tone so that each original tone is faithfully recorded or reproduced, as the case may be.

This is accomplished by the employment of suitable sound-developing chambers or.

the invention is explained in terms of a talking machine of the cabinet type. i

Fig. 1 shows a talking machine of the cabinet type, having a portion broken away to disclose the interior.

Fig. 2 is a plan thereof with the cover portion in raised position.

F ig. 3 is Aan enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3,'Fig. 1, looking downwardly.

Figs. 4 to 6 and 8 to 13 are sections taken on the various corresponding lines of Fig.

3 of the drawings, and looking, in each instance, in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6, but illustrating a modification.

Fig. 14 is a face view of my improved diaphragm; and Fig. 15 is anedge view thereof. y

Fig. 16 is a View showing the diaphragm as embodied in a sound box.

Fig. 17 is a talking machine of the cabinet type, broken away to show a modifica-tion introducing the conceaied horn, and Fig. 18 is a section on line 18 'of Fig. 17.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a suitable cabinet constructed as hereinafterA 4more fully disclosed, and carrying at its upper vportion the usual phonograph 'mechanism, including a motor 11, turn-table 12, sound box 13 and tone arm 14, all of any lwell-known construction, `the same forming no particular part of the present invention.

This mechanism rests upon and is carried by cilic construction and arrangement of the compartments shown by way of illustration in Figs. 3 to 13 of the drawings, it will be noted that the tone arm 14 flares outwardly and vopens directly into a compartment 20 which is surrounded by, or has adjacent thereto a plurality of sound compartments 21, 22, 23 and 24, which I may conveniently designate. as sound-developing compartments.

Compartment 20 Vis the sound receiving chamber and may directly receive the sound waves from the opening in the tone arm as in F ig. 1 or it may receive them from a continuation of the tone arm, as in Fig. 17. I have obtained excellent iresults in the first manner and claim as one of the modifications of my invention the use of a sound reproducing apparatus without the employment ofa horn orfunnel. It should be understood, however, that my apparatus can be used with. or without the tone arm extension. The

vfunnel-shaped' extension 52 is not for amplifying the sound, but when used at all, is merely an aid in directing' the sound waves .into the chamber'20. Compartment 20 is in communication with each of the compartments 21, 22, 23 and 24, as through lo-ngitudinal opening 25, 26, 27 and 28 at the respective corners of said compartments. It will be seen that the openings 25, 26, 27 and 28 also afford communication between the compartments 21, 22, 23 and 24, thereby allowing a more ready circulation and development of the sound Waves'in these compartments. I mention this as a preferred construction, and not as an indispensable feature.

The openings 25, 26, 27 land 28 may vary in size, location and shape, and they -might be covered with some suitable material, as long as they are capable of transmittingthe sound tothe developing compartments above mentioned. The last-named compartments, in turn, communicate freely with the outside atmosphere through suitable openings, su'ch as 30, 31,32,- and 33. Compartment 21, as

shown, contains the smallest volume of air space, the respective compartments 22,23 and 24 increasing in volume. yI have found The outer walls 40, 41, 43and 45 of the I cabinet are suitably joined, as shown in Figs. 1 and 17, with spaces allowing a passage of air at 30, 31, 32 and 33. These outer vents need not be of the form shown but can be of any size, location and construction. It will be noted, also, that the volume of the respective compartments 21, 22, 23 and 24 is progressively increasing from treble to bass.

I have found that by provi-ding the compartments 21,22, 23 and 24, preferably but not necessarily all ofl them, withl additional panels 51, the sound vibrations are accentuated, particularly the violin and piano portions. The panels, which -are preferably of resonating material, are secured to the inner side of the outer walls 40, 41, 43 and 45, and are held slightly spaced therefrom, as may be seen from Figs. 3 and 18, by any suitable means, such as bars 50. Any other practical securing and spacing means for the panels 51 may be employed. In using bars 50, it is preferable to arrange them substan tially parallel to one another.

By means of the construction hereinbefor described, .the reproduction of the sound waves is most faithfully developed, resulting in naturalness of tone, whether it be o-f the human voice or of the ensemble'eifects of a symphony orchestra.

` The material of which the different parts are composed may be varied. The inner walls 35, 36, 37 and 38 are preferably made of resonant material, such as spruce or pine, or other coniferous Wood, but they are not necessarily made of a resonant material. Effects of different instruments are accentuated bythe use of different woods and com- Personally, I prefer a soundsbox in which the diaphragm 17 (Figures 14-16) is made of a suitablewood, with the grain running substantially parallel to the longitudinal' axis of the stylus arm 18. However, no particular type of sound-box is necessary, this being merely a matter of personal taste or preference,

I have only shown four compartments as above set forth, but claim any plurality of compartments when used with a receiving chamber asset forth. The mechanical construction and arrangement of the Walls, outlets and cabinet are not material to the in-Y vention. Obviously, variations in design or construction are permitted to adapt the structure to the use intended, as long as the principles of the invention are adhered to, that is, a sound receiving chamber communicating with sound-developing compartments, such compartments communicating. with .the outer air. In recording mechanisms I have found it advisable to remove the base of the cabinet so as to permit a greater free passage for the entry of the sound into the developing chambers.

When I refer to my invention as a recording and reproducing apparatus, I do not mean that it shall necessaril be used for both operations, but simply t at it may be used either for recording or for reproducing, as desired. Of course, when my new compartment construction is employed in recording, it Will be understood that additional mechanism is connected therewith-such as a vibratory diaphragm adapted to be actuated bythe sounds to be recorded, a recording plate and a recording stylus arranged to operate over said plate in accordance with the vibrations of the diaphragm. AsV such additional mechanism forms no part of my present invention, I have not considered it necessary to show or describe the same.

This application is a continuation of my pending application, Serial Number 241,624, filed June 24, 1918.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. In apparatus for recording and reproducing sound, vvalls forming a sound receiving chamber, and Walls forming a plurality of adjacent sound-developing compartments, the receiving chamber having means of communication with the adjacent compartments and said compartments having means of communication with the outer 2.11'.

2. In apparatus for recording and reproducing sound, a cabinet having Walls formin a sound receiving chamber, such Walls being extended to form With the outer Walls of the cabinet a plurality of sound-developing compartments adapted to communicate with said chamber and With the outer air.

3. In apparatus for recording and reproducing sound, Walls forming a sound receiving chamber, and Walls forming a plurality of adjacent sound-developing compartments of different volume communicating with the receiving chamber, such compartments having means permitting Vthe passage of sound to and from the outer air.

4. A cabinet for talking machines, comprising outer Walls having sound openings therein, Walls arranged Within said cabinet to form a chamber for receiving sound waves from the sound box of a talking machine,

and Walls forming a plurality vof compartments around said chamber, said compartments being in communication with said chamber and with each other. said compartments being open to the outer air through said sound openings in the outer Walls.

5. A cabinetl for talking machines, comprising outer Walls having sound openings therein, Walls arranged within said cabinet to form a chamber for receiving sound Waves from the sound box of a. talking machine, and Walls forming a plurality of compartments of progressively increasing volume around said chamber, said compartments being in communication with said'chamber and with each other, said compartments being Open to the outer air through said sound openings in the outer Walls.

6. A cabinet for talking machines, comprising Walls forming a receiving chamber to receive sound Waves delivered from the sound box of a talking machine, and Walls' forming a plurality of adjacent compartments communicating with the receiving chamber and with the outer air, some or all of said compartments being provided with panels slightly spaced from the outer.\valls of said cabinet.

7. In sound-transmitting apparatus, Walls forming'a sound-receiving chamber, Walls forming a plurality of adjacent sound compartments, said first and second mentioned Walls having openings whereby said adjacent compartments communicate with each other and with said chamber, said compartments also communicating with the outer air, and resonant panels Within said Isound cmpartments, said panels being secured to and slightly spaced from the outer Wallsof said compartments.

8.l A sound-transmitting cabinet comprising outer Walls and a plurality of inner Walls arranged substantially parallel with said outer Walls to form a series of sound compartments, said inner Walls having openings Whereby said compartments are in communication with each other and with the outer air.

9. A sound-transmitting cabinet comprising outer Walls and a plurality of inner Walls arranged substantially parallel With said outer walls to form a series of sound compartments of different volume, said inner Walls having openingsY whereby said compartments are in communication with each otherand with the outer air.

10. In sound-amplifying apparatus, Walls arranged to form a sound-receiving chamber, and other walls arranged to form a plurality of sound compartmentsin communication with each other and with said chamber, said compartments being open to the outer air.

11. In sound-amplifying apparatus, Walls arranged to form a sound-receiving chamber, and other Walls arranged to form with said rst-mentioned Walls a plurality of soundv compartments in communication with each other and With said chamber, said Compartments being open to the outer air.

l2. In sound-amplifying apparatus, Walls arranged to forma soundreceiving chamber, other Walls arranged to form a plurality of sound oompartments in communication 10 With each other and with said chamber, said compartments being open Ato the outer air, and resonant panels adjacent said other Walls. t

CHARLES BLIEBERGER. Witnesses: w i

D'. P. BERGHEIMER, ANNA ANDERsoN. 

